- All-electric five-seater SUV for the D-segment designed as a spacious, practical, safe and comfortable family car, full of advanced technology.
- BYD SEAL U offers an extensive range of high-tech equipment, premium cockpit experience and top-class safety features.
- The third member of BYD’s Ocean Series available in two trim levels, both with their own drivetrain configuration and outstanding performance.
- Unique, cobalt-free BYD Blade Battery sets new standards in terms of safety, durability, stability and energy density, offering a reassuring range of up to 500 km.
- Intelligent Cockpit System with smart connectivity and leading infotainment, including remote functions via the BYD app.
- Excellent safety level with an extensive range of advanced safety technology as standard.
- New BYD SEAL U available in Europe from February 2024, please refer to the prices released by local dealers and BYD official websites.
BYD, the world’s leading manufacturer of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), expands its European portfolio with the all-electric BYD SEAL U. The versatile, future-oriented SUV for the D-segment – with the ‘U’ in the name referring to ‘Utility’ – is the ultimate family car with a spacious, practical, and comfortable passenger cabin, combined with stylish aesthetics, exceptional value and a high specification as standard. In addition, the SEAL U offers high-quality materials and advanced technology in terms of safety, connectivity, and well-being. Meanwhile, the driving range of up to 500 kilometres (WLTP) ensures even greater peace of mind. The BYD SEAL U EV will be available in two variants, with deliveries starting from February 2024.
Following the BYD SEAL and BYD DOLPHIN, the BYD SEAL U is the next member of BYD’s Ocean Series, designed according to the brands ‘Ocean Aesthetics’ design language. The SUV is characterized by its attractive X-shaped front end with a rounded and curved design. The U-shaped headlights fit into the hood, creating a striking and distinctive identity exclusive to the Ocean Series, while the dual lenses further enhance its visually high-tech appearance.
The flowing design with balanced proportions continues to the side, where the powerful upper beltline extends from the headlights to the taillights. The side view is embellished by the 19 inch alloy wheels with meticulously polished black wheel spokes and glossy finish. The wide-body design of the rear end complements the roundness of the front face, resulting in a harmonious and well-proportioned aesthetic. The rear bumper is accentuated by black and silver details, while the design of the through-type LED taillight draws inspiration from water drop elements, referencing the brand’s ‘Ocean Aesthetics’ design language.
Premium cockpit experience
Inside, the BYD SEAL U exudes a premium atmosphere with a tasteful mix of modern and elegant design, soft-touch surfaces, high-quality finishing, and wrap-around multi-colour ambient lighting. The seats, parts of the dashboard, door panels and centre console are upholstered in vegan leather with double contrasting stitching. The ‘Legacy Gearshift Panel’ including an exquisitely designed crystal gearshift knob reflects the ocean-inspired design theme. Key features such as comfort, convenience and well-being inside the SEAL U are also reflected in the large front seats, which are electrically multi-adjustable, heated and ventilated as standard. The two large digital screens are direct evidence of the brands high-tech DNA. They contribute to the ergonomics and convenience on board, thanks to the clear readability in addition to its intuitive touchscreen operation. Meanwhile, the panoramic electric sliding sunroof makes the cabin light and airy, whilst the PM2.5 interior filter – including an air purification system in the extended trim level – makes sure all occupants breathe heavenly fresh air.
Dimensions & practicality
The BYD SEAL U has everything to excel as a comfortable family car with excellent practicality. Positioned below the larger BYD TANG seven-seater SUV in BYD’s European line-up, the five-seater D-segment SUV is 4,785 mm long, 1,890 mm wide and 1,668 mm high. Due to its 2,765 mm wheelbase and flat floor design, there is plenty of legroom for rear passengers, while the SEAL U offers a particularly quiet cabin experience with excellent NVH levels (noise vibration harshness). With the family-oriented SUV, a lot of attention has been paid to improve practicality. The rear seat can be folded down in parts (60:40), making it easy to expand the cargo volume from 552 to 1,440 litres. Functionality is further underlined by the storage compartments with high utilization rate, two convenient cup holders in the centre console, four USB ports and wireless charging capability for two smartphones simultaneously. And particularly functional and useful in areas where there is no power socket available: the BYD SEAL U’s battery supports V2L (Vehicle-to-Load), allowing the car to be used as a portable power supply for electrical devices.
BYD Blade Battery technology
Like all BYD passenger cars offered in Europe, the BYD SEAL U is equipped as standard with BYD’s unique, cobalt-free Blade Battery technology, developed in-house with the primary goal of optimizing safety, durability, longevity, performance, and space utilization. The battery pack consists of many thin elongated cells that actually look like blades. In addition, it uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) as a cathode material to increase safety, durability, and thermal stability, while the SEAL U’s battery offers an industry leading energy density of up to 145 Wh/kg. The exceptional safety level of the Blade Battery itself is demonstrated by exceeding the requirements of the so-called Nail Penetration Test. This is the most rigorous way to test battery thermal runaway and simulates the consequences of a serious road accident.
Two efficient drivetrain configurations
The BYD SEAL U will be offered in two trim levels (Comfort and Design), both with their own drivetrain configuration. Both versions are driven by a powerful permanent magnet synchronous electric motor through the front wheels. With a maximum output of 160 kW and up to 330 Nm of torque direct from a standstill, the SEAL U is able to reach a top speed of 175 km/h.
The Comfort version offers a 71.8 kWh battery and a range of up to 420 kilometres (WLTP, combined). The Design version has an 87 kWh battery and an even more reassuring range of up to 500 kilometres (WLTP, combined). The BYD SEAL U comes as standard with an 11 kW 3-phase AC on-board charger and is capable of DC ultra-fast charging speeds of up to 140 kW. This means it takes just 27 to 28 minutes to charge the Blade Battery from 30% to 80% of its capacity. The comfortable range and low energy consumption isn’t only achieved by the BYD SEAL U’s revolutionary Blade Battery and low drag coefficient of just 0.32 Cd, but also by its highly efficient 8-in-1 electric drivetrain. This technology integrates eight key components, resulting in optimised space utilization and 88% system efficiency. In addition, BYD’s 8-in-1 electric powertrain works in close synergy with a high-efficiency heat pump system for precise regulation of the battery temperature, to get the most out of the battery in all circumstances and weather conditions.
Intelligent Cockpit System & BYD app
With an abundance of equipment and intelligent technology, and a high specification as standard, the BYD SEAL U represents exceptional value in its category. As one of its primary elements, the SEAL U offers smart connectivity and infotainment, even remotely via the BYD app on your smartphone. BYD’s Intelligent Cockpit System is operated by the 12.8 or 15.6 inch electrically rotatable screen – with which you can choose whether you want the screen in landscape or portrait format – while a variety of driver information is displayed on the 12.3 inch full instrument LCD panel. Providing an exceptional personalized connected experience, the Intelligent Cockpit System also offers a 4G connection, integrated Spotify and HERE navigation, smartphone integration via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay and intelligent voice control that can be activated with the voice command “Hi BYD”. The system uses Over-The-Air (OTA) updates to keep itself fully up to date.
In terms of connectivity, the BYD SEAL U goes a step further, by enabling to control multiple vehicle functions remotely via the BYD app on the smartphone or other mobile device. For example, you can lock and unlock the doors, close open windows and operate the climate control, seat heating/ventilation, flash lights and horn. You can also check the remaining charge time and range. With your smartphone, you can even unlock with NFC key functionality.
Advanced safety technology
As with all BYD’s in the line-up, the brand sets high standards for passive and active safety. The BYD SEAL U has therefore been developed to be one of the safest electric family SUV’s in its class. In addition to the extensive use of high-strength steel and an ultra-strong honeycomb panel structure to protect the battery pack, the SEAL U also offers solid chassis dynamics and a safe road holding with its MacPherson front suspension and multi-link rear suspension.
To keep an eye on the traffic, warn the driver or even intervene to (help) prevent an road accident, the BYD SEAL U is equipped as standard with an extensive range of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) which use four radars and one camera. Such as Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Rear Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Change Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Control, Blind Spot Detection System, and many more. The Design-version also features Head Up Display. During night driving, you can rely on full-LED lighting technology to aid visibility, including high beam assist and adaptive headlights as standard. To help the driver manoeuvre safely, a panoramic camera provides 360-degree visibility on the centre screen, even from above and round the car with the help of an animated car. By cleverly combining the images from multiple wide-angle cameras, it seems as if you are watching from a short distance how you’re manoeuvring the car yourself.
BYD SEAL U available from February
Delivery of the new BYD SEAL U in European markets will start in February 2024. The line-up consists of two trim levels – Comfort and Design, both with their own drivetrain configuration – six vibrant body colours and two colour theme’s for the interior. BYD aims for a competitive starting price of 42,000 euros. Final pricing will be announced in the run-up to the market launch. The BYD SEAL U will be offered with a 6 year/150,000 km full manufacturer’s warranty, 8 year/200,000 km warranty on at least 70% of the battery’s original capacity, as well as 8 year/150,000 km warranty on the electric motor as standard.
Main specifications, BYD SEAL U Comfort (C) & Design (D)